Hexagram 38 · Opposition

睽 · Kuí

Hexagram 38, Opposition (睽, Kuí), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Lake below and Fire above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “小事吉。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with opposition and estrangement, and small agreements. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Lake (兑) — joy and open exchange
Upper trigram: Fire (离) — clarity, radiance and dependence
Symbol: ䷥ · Name: 睽 (Kuí) · Number: 38 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yang) (初九)
   悔亡；丧马勿逐，自复；见恶人，无咎。
   The Image says: “见恶人”，以辟咎也。
2. 九二 (九二)
   遇主于巷，无咎。
   The Image says: “遇主于巷”，未失道也。
3. 六三 (六三)
   见舆曳，其牛掣；其人天且劓。无初有终。
   The Image says: “见舆曳”，位不当也。“无初有终”，遇刚也。
4. 九四 (九四)
   睽孤，遇元夫，交孚，厉无咎。
   The Image says: “交孚”“无咎”，志行也。
5. 六五 (六五)
   悔亡，厥宗噬肤，往何咎？
   The Image says: “厥宗噬肤”，往有庆也。
6. Top line (yang) (上九)
   睽孤，见豕负涂，载鬼一车，先张之弧，后说之弧；匪寇婚媾，往遇雨则吉。
   The Image says: “遇雨”之“吉”，群疑亡也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 38?

Hexagram 38 is Opposition (睽, Kuí), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Lake below and Fire above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Opposition?

The judgment of Opposition reads, in the Chinese original: “小事吉。”. Its Great Image reads: “上火下泽，睽；君子以同而异。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Opposition symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Opposition is associated with opposition and estrangement, and small agreements. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.